April 12, 2017 2.48 pm This story is over 83 months old

Ambulance paramedic suspended for touching colleague’s breasts and bottom

An ambulance paramedic based in Lincolnshire has been suspended for eight months for squeezing a colleague’s breasts and touching her bottom inappropriately. A Health and Care Professions Council hearing heard that East Midlands Ambulance Service employee Joel Warwick also asked the woman to “bend over” to watch her refill the photocopier. Warwick tried to kiss…
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An ambulance paramedic based in Lincolnshire has been suspended for eight months for squeezing a colleague’s breasts and touching her bottom inappropriately.

A Health and Care Professions Council hearing heard that East Midlands Ambulance Service employee Joel Warwick also asked the woman to “bend over” to watch her refill the photocopier.

Warwick tried to kiss her on at least one occasion, and told her that she “needed a hug”.

The paramedic also removed a pen from the ‘V’ of her blouse and replaced the pen back into the ‘V’ of her blouse.

Warwick started working at Spalding Ambulance Station from August 2014, and said he had “engaged in flirtatious behaviour” with the woman.

Since the incident, Warwick apologised to the complainant for his behaviour.

The panel noted that Warwick had “an otherwise unblemished career”, and that his actions were “out of character”.

He has also undertaken online research on equality and diversity.

Panel chair Claire Bonnet said: “The panel determined that Mr Warwick had demonstrated limited insight into how his actions transgressed professional boundaries.

“The panel also determined that his misconduct was so serious that the need to uphold professional standards and public confidence in the profession and the regulatory process would be undermined if a finding of impairment was not made in these circumstances.”